Subaru Crew - Meet The Members

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Edmunds lists it as a $39 (invoice price) option, and I think it's worth it. I installed one myself in my Forester, and it's not hard, but you might as well save yourself the trouble. I'd bet the Impreza and the Forester use the same unit, though the Legacy's is different.

    Yes, get the RS. The Accord mentioned in your profile is boring in comparison, and lacks AWD.

    Once you get it keep us posted.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    The air filtration unit does sap some blower motor output.

    Other than that, I'm not sure why it's an option.

    -Colin
  • t4dt4d Member Posts: 5
    Thanks for your opinions. I thought the air filter was a necessity so I didn't understand why it was listed as an option.

    ateixeira-
    Thanks, the Accord is no longer on my list; I've updated my profile. I am still looking for a '98 Nissan 200SX SE-R though.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I didn't notice much difference, but it makes sense. I still have to keep the A/C with the fan on the lowest setting, else I get home with icicles on my nose. :)

    I prefer the previous generation Sentra SE-R. The 200SX gained some weight and I believe it has the torsion beam rear suspension (i.e. not fully independent).

    -juice
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    I think the rear suspension was semi-independent. There were two seperate beams, so it's not as bad as a solid rear axle. The same goes for the current Nissan Maxima/Infiniti I30 and '01 Infiniti G20.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    RS all the way!!! Or, juice and I can show you how to make a Forester 2.5RS. :)
  • t4dt4d Member Posts: 5
    Unfortunately there's not enough legroom for me in the Sentra or the Infiniti G20 (same engine).
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    I learnt of an interesting tidbit about the MB ESP system yesterday. The system calculates wheel movement approximately 200 times faster than the speed of the average human brain calculating to make your hand move. Pretty impressive! This explains why it can prevent most skids from occuring in the first place. I'd imagine that Subaru's VDC should be almost or just as fast as ESP.

    Lesser systems (namely GM's Stabillitrak - excluding the system fitted to the Cadillac lineup though) monitor wheel movement at a slower rate, hence the reduction in effectiveness.

    Drew/aling
    Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Drew - hmm, you're not buying into marketing hype, are you? ;)

    It's either fully independent or it's not. They love to call it a "Multi-Link Beam", so you think multi-link suspension, but the fact is they're primarily torsion beams derived from the Nissan Quest minivan. Very humbling.

    I believe the Altima is the only one left with a true independent rear. Still, it fell dead last in JD Power's APPEAL study.

    -juice
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    After reading about the rear suspension in detail at www.maxima.org, yes, I DO buy into the hype! The links are seperated from each other, so it's not as bad as the Quest minivan's solid beam axle. I'm not saying that it is as good as a true IRS though.

    WRT the Altima, it figures. I've never found it that interesting. I don't even really like the new Maxima's look all that much. It is tolerable in SE trim, but I don't like the GXE or GLE (mainly because of the ugly wheels). FWIW, I like the I30's look much much more. In fact, even more so than the Acura 3.2TL.

    Drew/aling
    Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Perhaps, the Maxima at Edmunds Live was good enough. There were no bumps to test the rear suspension, though.

    Still, for all its sporting intensions you'd think an IRS was a prerequisite. My 3 cylinder '86 Chevy Sprint Metro had one.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I think the 2nd Generation Maxima circa 1989-1993ish were the best handling, best performing maximas ever. My buddy's parents had one and we routinely took it up to the adirondacks and rocked the mountain roads @ 80+mph and on the straights @ 130+mph

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The '89 had the fully independent rear multi-link suspension and the 4 Door Sports Car Label.

    Of course the Legacy GT has one now...

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Back in May, I drove a '00 TL. Very nice car - drives tight and the ride was smooth. My uncle has a new I30. That seemed to feel heavier, but rode smooth and was fairly tight in handling. But, at the time of those test drives, I was driving our previous vehicle - a '97 Chevy Z71 Ext. Cab. - so anything feels tighter and smoother!

    -Brian/subearu
  • tomshadletomshadle Member Posts: 11
    I have the typical SUV dilema - I drive a 97 Pathfinder. It's not that powerful & it sucks gas like crazy - 16/18 at best, but it gets me through the soft sand at the OBX. I was set to order a LTD & now comes the H6. I know the H4's have the power to get on the beach. It would also be nice to have extra passing power on the open road & from what you all have told me the EPA mileage on the H6 should be better than a Pathfinder. I don't want to be a slave to the gas pump anymore though. What do you folks think? Help!
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Air filters are essential, but the confusion here is that the air filter in this case if for the cabin climate control. not the engine.

    tom-
    I think you should hang in a little and wait for the H6. In both cases you are getting an auto tranny, so the 5-speed thing (avail. on lower end H4 Outbacks like mine) isn't the issue. The six sounds like it is a smoother, more refined plant, and it certainly has power. You will get much better mileage than your pathfinder too. Lighter (maybe), more aerodynamic, lower rolling resistance.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Tom: I'm sure you've seen my OBX photos. My 5 speed Forester, with the boxer 4, really held its own. The only difference from stock are my 225mm wide tires, which aired down to 18psi helped prevent it from sinking.

    So a boxer 4 Outback, with the same size tires and better low end torque from the Phase II engine, ought to be able to make it on level sand, especially since you're experienced. However, it is a few hundred pounds heavier than my ride, so torque will be only adequate for the soft stuff. I doubt you'll be climbing steep dunes.

    That's why I'd say splurge for the H6. The H4 typically gets 20s mileage, anywhere from 22 and up. But the H6 is efficient, too, at an estimated 19/24 (C&D), perhaps better. With all the reserve power, you won't have to rev much, so you'll likely get only a couple less mpg.

    The H6 also has 210 lb-ft vs. 166 lb-ft. Better yet, it makes 174lb-ft at just 2200rpm, more than the boxer 4 makes at its peak! That's important because you can't rev it up to 4000rpm on sand - you'd just dig yourself in.

    So without the low range, that torque really comes in handy on soft ground. It may not make as much torque as truck engines, but considering it's a much lighter vehicle, it ought to do well.

    -juice
  • gtdrivergtdriver Member Posts: 67
    I would bet that the current Maxima would outrun and outhandle the '89-'93 series in all performance tests, but I'll agree with you that those were certainly the best looking. '89-'93 was actually the third generation; there's a 20th Anniversary Edition SE out for 2001, which suggests that the Maxima line started with the '81-'84 RWD 810 model.
    I had an '85 SE, which was the first year of FWD.
    Nice car in its day, but my current Legacy GT produces 165 hp with its H4 vs. the 152 produced by that maxima's 6. The Legacy also handles better, at least as far as I can remember. Maxima was twitchy with major understeer.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    details in the Mods section, #1034.

    tried to hook up with the intrepid Patti, but initial delays on the shop end meant it was not to be. I will say I have never seen so many soobs in my life. the parking lot of SOA was, well friends, it was beautiful. Mostly OB and Foresters, but some GTs and a Justy!

    Had lunch at the lovely Famous King of Pizza, and headed home. When I go back up for my short shifter, we'll try again!
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    There was a post in Escape section, which is sooo representative of the saying that love is blind...

    I just ould not resist reproducing it here:

    >As far as the recalls go, the dealerships don't >have the info to know what to do yet, so the >recalls can't even be done yet
    [meaning -- he's still driving with THAT steering wheel ??? --Kate]
    >Oh, by the way, I love my Escape and wouldn't >trade it for anything, but at 2500 miles, the >transmission went out and the whole transmission >had to be replaced.
    [even on my Escort, tranny lasted 66K mi]
    >Just be careful where you go. The 1-800# people >didn't help at all because it was a holiday.
    [yep, better yet leave this SUV at home. Take your Civic instead]
    >Just thought I would let all you guys know.
    [Thanks! it made my day]
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    That made my day too! Keep 'em coming, Kate!

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    ... dunno if it's the true story or not, but it made me ROTFLOL (post 25 at Aztek III thread):

    >Was going to the bank this morning. This guy
    >pulled in beside me in a brend new Aztex, red &
    >black, reeeel ugly ! He saw me looking at it and
    >began to smile. "Really UGLY ain't she" he said. >I not wanting to hurt his feelings so I asked >"how does it handle"? "Could care less said he". >"it's for my soon to be ex-wife". "I have to >supply her with a new vehicle according to the >divorce decree and I looked for the most butt >ugly car I could find" "How do you think I did" >"Fantastic I said". He walked into the bank >chuckling to himself. He did GOOD.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    GTDriver: I disagree. The Maxima has gained weight with each redesign since the '89, gotten ugly, and suffered cost-cutting.

    The original SE had a better power to weight ratio, the true multi-link rear, and could circle a track faster. Even in a straight line the new one has failed to match the original SE (I think 6.7s to 60 was the benchmark).

    I thought the 510 was Datsun's original sports sedan?

    Loosh - she was there, you just couln't catch up to her H6 LL Bean! :o)

    Kate: thanks for sharing that. Told you the CD4E tranny was a time bomb.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Juice's assessment of the Maxima is spot on. The last IRS/"4-Door Sports Car" was (is) the only one I cared for.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Your post slipped in just before I could read it.

    I LOVE Aztec humor! Please keep it coming! I guess the Aztec thread is good comic relief, eh? Must be flame wars there.

    Here's a question for the Crew. If you won one, for free, but had to drive it daily, would you take it? Not me.

    -juice
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I'm not a particularly proud man, but not even if someone else paid for the gas!

    Ross
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Manufacturers and dealers are not allowed to sell vehicles that have outstanding recalls. All retailers are notified with recalls and technical instructions prior to or concurrent with official announcements of the recall. If the dealer personnel are not familiar with this info, they are not reading their bulletins in a timely manner.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Since I'm a graphic designer, I would probably paint graffiti all over it, and/or encourage others to do likewise. I would then park it in front of the gates of the Howard County Landfill.

    Bob
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    IMHO, Max was best in 85-88, prior to redesign in 89. Light, comfortable, unbelievably smooth ride, good-looking (told you, I like boxy styling).

    I remember pricing used Maximas back in 92, and all mechanics recommended vintage 85-88. Back then, in NADA books Max was classified as Category 3 (near-luxury), along with Volvos. Camry/Accord was category 2.

    Styling and that flavor of prestige that Max had back then went downhill after that. Don't know about handling and power, those probably improved. I liked Maxima at EdmundsLive but cannot stand styling. My friend has Max'00, and complains about very poor gas mileage (she says, like her old Explorer).

    Anyway, I feel lucky I did not buy that used Max'87 for $7.5K in 1992. Instead, I bought new Subaru Loyale for $9.5K and lived happily ever after.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    Free Aztec? Naw, I wouldn't be able to stand having to drive around with a paper bag on my head.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The only thing "outstanding" is the sheer number of recalls! ;)

    Bob - no fair, I said you'd have to drive it daily!

    Kate: I think that Max had 160hp. The next generation had 160hp standard, 190hp with the SE. The 1995 got the 190hp standard, and the 2000 gets 222hp. Still, they're porkier.

    Ken: what if you could wear a helmet? Still, when you parked people would see you...

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    Can please someone educate me on the "official" technical differences between the two?

    Somehow I always thought that moonroof indicates a powered sliding thingie, and sunroof indicates pop-up non-sliding thingie. I also think that sunroof is also used as a generic term for any glass in your roof, no matter sliding/powered or pop-up.
  • barresa11barresa11 Member Posts: 277
    "tom-
    I think you should hang in a little and wait for
    the H6. In both cases you are getting an auto
    tranny, so the 5-speed thing (avail. on lower endH4 Outbacks like mine)" post#1969

    Just want to clear up any erroneous info: The H4 OB Ltd wagon is available w/manual or auto (not just auto). The OB Ltd sedan is available w/auto only. To complicate matters, the OB Ltd wagon in Canada is available w/auto only. The H6 is correctly stated as available in auto only.

    The H4 w/manual yields a noticeably quicker feeling in acceleration than the auto H4. The manual tranny uses a 50/50 split AWD system. The auto H4 uses a 90/10 AWD system that automatically adjusts the power split based on detection of slippage. It is combined w/the std ltd slip that allows power to be applied side-to-side on the rear wheels. It's this difference in AWD systems that convinced me to go w/the auto H4 in my 00'OB Ltd wagon. In the future, I may trade up to the H6 VDC.
    Hope this helps and doesn't add to your indecision :-)

    Stephen
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Kate, the term moonroof and sunroof are interchangeable except to marketing people. Ford likes to call theirs moonroofs, other manufacturer's call the same thing sunroof. Other examples of the same thing are the extended cabs on pickups, Ford uses Supercab, Nissan Kingcab, etc.
  • barresa11barresa11 Member Posts: 277
    Generally, a moonroof denotes a glass sunroof, usually retracting (manual or power) but not always. A metal sliding roof or pop-up glass roof is usually called a sunroof. Like I said, there's no hard and fast rule about this but this usually helps to keep things straight.

    Stephen
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    A moonroof is transparent, or possibly tinted. Many of them have a sliding opaque cover on the inside.

    A sunroof is made of whatever the body is (usually metal) and therefore is not see through.

    :-D

    -Colin

    EDIT: man you guys are FAST. I agree with Stephen, obviously.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    I work for a manufacturer that sells vehicles with glass sliding sunroofs
  • fvkllrfvkllr Member Posts: 26
    I bought the OB LTD exactly for the same reasons that you are considering it. I needed a "car" that I could drive on the beach (Nauset beach on Cape Cod). I could have bought a SUV or truck, but being very conservation minded, the idea of getting teens for gas mileage was too much of a deterent for me. The OB seemed perfect. A car like ride with ok gas mileage and AWD for the baech. Perfect, well almost.* While I agree that H6 would be great, the reason I didn't buy a vehicle with a 6 cyclinder engine was for gas mileage reasons. I find that the H4 is pleasntly adequate. It is not fast, but it is also not slow by any means. Anyway, just my $.02.

    * The reason that I say this is that the 00 OB doesn't have the capacity to hold a full size spare in the spare tire well. I don't know what the regs are for the OBX, but every beach that I know of (in MA) that allows over the sand vehicle access requires that you have a full size spare tire. I was able to somewhat get around it by using a smaller full size tire for the spare, but because of the AWD and LSD, there are concerns about this if you actually need to use your spare. This still sticks in my craw that Subaru markets a mild "off-road" vehicle and then doesn't give you all the tools so to speak. Anyone whpo goes off-road without a full size spare tire is just crazy IMHO. Sorry for the long post.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    Hmmm. How about a Darth Vader helmet. Now that would look the part! How about leveraging the looks and features of the Aztec to make an unforgettable entrance at a Halloween party:

    - Win a black Aztec
    - Don a Darth Vader suit
    - Fill front cooler with water and dry ice to produce smoke in cabin
    - Crawl to rear hatch and crank up the stereo with the Empire theme from Star Wars
    - Pop open that rear hatch
    - Impress your friends as you crawl out the Aztec with smoke and music pouring out the rear hatch

    How's that for an "active" lifestyle? Too bad Halloween only comes once a year...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Kate: there is a sunroof thread and we pretty much reached a consensus that agrees with Stephen.

    Sunroof is when you can only see out when it's sunny. Rain means it's closed so no view.

    Moonroof is so you can see semi drivers moon you from their windows, rain or shine, obviously! ;)

    Marketing folks will always create exceptions.

    The Impreza 2.5RS has a sunroof, if you'd like to check one out. Outbacks and Foresters have moonroofs.

    Mine is a glass, but it's not powered, so it's generally called a pop-up moonroof. Of course, it's manufactured by American Sunroof Company (ASC), but that doesn't mean much because they almost make convertibles! Confusing enough?

    Eugene: any photos on Nauset Beach? Have you driven the Outback there yet? How'd it do? My guess is ... fine.

    Ken: guess it's not far from a "Death Star", given the poor performance of the platform in IIHS tests! ;)

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    *koooosh- chaaaaaaa* *kooooooosh- chaaaaaaaaa*

    "impressive..."

    *koooosh- chaaaaaaa* *kooooooosh- chaaaaaaaaa*
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I give up. I couldn't drive it daily, except maybe at night.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    IMHO:

    Moonroof = Glass sliding into the headliner

    Sunroof = Manual popup Glass or Roof material, or powered sliding that goes above the roof when retracted (ala 2.5RS)

    The new legacy models have a sunroof in the front and a moon roof in the back.

    -mike
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Here are few articles relating to Suburu's use of information technology.

    Subaru uses metadata app to track customers, CRN.

    Subaru of America, Inc. Named as One of CMP InformationWeek`s 500 Most Innovative Users of Information Technology

    For enginerds only. Like me.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Interesting. I'm assuming Patti and Greg are gathering info from these boards to flow into their info/demographics base. Let's hope so.

    Bob
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    Eugene,

    Patti indicated in her post #1882 on Saturday, "I'll ask about that (the spare) and the VDC on Monday."

    I am sure she will be able to give us a response on the spare issue and the availability of the OB Sedan VDC. She is probably enjoying the H6 at the moment. So would I, if I was in her shoes.

    Daniel
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    This topic was discused some time ago. Here's some updated info on the topic.

    It sounds great, but I bet those batterys are going to be expensive to replace.

    Bob

    http://www.roadandtrack.com/RoadAndTrack/FrameSet/0,1169,_sl_RoadAndTrack_sl_DailyInsider_sl_1_cm_1175_cm_0_cm_00,00.html
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Another article on the subject http://www.autonewsinternational.com/
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Lucien: LOL on the Vader comment. It took me a while to get it (public schools...) but it cracked me up.

    paisan - should we be surprised by your unique opinion? ;)

    Actually, thinking back to the ads, I think SoA called them "two sunroofs, nice touch!" when they came out. So there's yet another opinion.

    Bob - we'll save Patti some time: we're mostly Daves (plus a few Mikes that got written permission for the exception) that use Macs and have pets (usually 2 dogs), net savvy, affluent, and enjoy the outdoors (really, not just in commercials).

    But you're right, Daniel, she's probably out on the streets enjoying those 212 horses. So would I if I were her...

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Is it sunroofs, sunrooves, or sunroof's? Mike - we need Mr. Grammar's input!

    -juice
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